After the Storm (18 page)

Lexi didn’t arrive home until after noon. She was hungover but excited after the night she’d spent with the Trio. It was never dull hearing their comments while watching a movie with hot guys in it. Lexi chuckled to herself as she unpacked her suitcases and started the laundry.

She rushed down the stairs when she heard a bark at the back door. She opened it and Pepper rushed in, followed by Noah. After giving her dog the proper amount of hugs, she turned to Noah who opened his arms. She melted into him, resting her head on his shoulder.

“I see you survived last night. Everything all worked out?” He rubbed her back.

“Great. I didn’t even try to keep up with them. The cops weren’t called and no one broke anything, so I’ll take it as a win. What did you do last night?” She closed her eyes enjoying the moment.

“Spent the night talking to the band about what’s next.” He frowned when Lexi pulled away and walked into the kitchen.

Lexi tried to stop her hands from shaking as she got a bottle of water from the refrigerator. After taking a drink, she turned around to face him. “That should’ve been productive. When do you leave?” She’d known this moment was coming. She thought she’d prepared for it, but her heart was breaking.

He crossed the room and grabbed her by the upper arms. “I’m not leaving. With the guys being married and having kids, they were only staying because of me. They’ve wanted out for a while. We are—I won’t say breaking up, because we’re like family, but we won’t be recording anything new or touring. Looks like you’re stuck with me.”

She looked up at him with huge eyes. “But you love music. It’s been your life for over fifteen years. What are you going to do?”

He rubbed his hand along the back of his neck. “Well, remember how I have been working on a lot of different kinds of music?” When she nodded he continued. “I can be a song writer and just write for other artists. I can do that from anywhere. I don’t have to be in Los Angeles. I’ll have to go back sometimes, but I can live here full time.”

Lexi walked past him and went to sit on the couch. “I don’t understand. Why are you doing this? I thought you loved making music, touring and living on the west coast.”

He sat down next to her and took her hands. “You know why I’m doing this. I can’t see my life without you. Don’t you think I know you’d be completely unhappy there? And touring, it’d be fun for a while, but it’d get old quick. You’d start longing for your solitude here on the beach, not to mention your little old ladies. Your happiness is more important to me.”

She stood up quickly and started pacing. “No, Noah. I’m not going to let you do this. What do you mean ‘my happiness is more important?’ Bullshit. Don’t you think
I
know after a while of being here without all the excitement you’ll get bored and become unhappy?” She spread her arms out. “This is nothing like what you are used to, nothing like what you’ve been living for years and years. It’s all fun and games now but you’ve only been here for a couple of months. What happens during the winter when the wind and snow blows so hard you’re stuck inside for days?” She shook her head. “Right now, we’re having this fun summer romance, but what happens when that all ends?” She turned away from him.

He strode across the room and spun her around. “What makes you think I’d get bored being here? You don’t know what my life has been like. This is the first vacation I’ve had in years, Lexi.
Years
. I’ve done my time, now I want to enjoy it, with you, before I get too old.” He gave her a little shake. “Damn it, I want to build a family with you. I want to discover things with you. I want to grow old with you. I’m not about to bail. What’s going on?”

Lexi tried to back out of his grip. “I know we’ve talked about this, but what’s going to happen when you let the public know that
Last Stand
is breaking up? Just because you aren’t actively seeking press, they’re still going to hound us. They’re going to find out who I am, if they haven’t already, and start plastering it all over the place. They’re going to beat down our doors to get the rest of the story. People are going to come out of the woodwork. Not to mention everyone will see me as the reason you guys broke up. How can we handle all of that on top of normal relationship crap?” She threw her hands up in the air.

“Because it won’t last forever. Once something bigger and better breaks, they’ll forget about us. Besides I can build a wall around our properties, hire security.” He shrugged.

She sighed with aggravation. “Noah, after everything I’ve gone through, if I wanted a wall, I’d have built it already. I can’t live my life being scared all the time, locked in some fortress.”

Noah’s tone gentled. “That’s even more of a reason to build a damn wall. What are you going to do when he’s not monitored anymore? Have you thought that far ahead? I can help you. Don’t you understand you’re my reason to breathe now? I have to keep you safe. You’re part of my soul.”

“And what are you going to do when they start saying I am the reason you guys broke up? How do you think that is going to make me feel? Not to mention seeing my face plastered all over the tabloids when I run to the store in no make-up and hair in a ponytail. I’ll end up being skewered.” She shook her head.

“You know my thoughts on things. You’re gorgeous even with no make-up and your hair in a mess. Hell, you know I think you’re beautiful first thing in the morning. Morning breath and all.” He put his hands on her shoulders. “It won’t last forever.” He lifted her chin up so that she would look at him. “Trust me. We just have to get through the first initial months after the news breaks. It’ll die down. We can build our life together. I promise. Then it’s just me and you and a dog named Pepper.” He smiled at her and rested his head on hers.

“I’ll kick your ass if you’re wrong.” Lexi put her arms around him.

He laughed. “You have my permission, if I’m wrong. Which I’m not.”

“You’d better hope so. You know I can do it.” She relaxed into him, but her thoughts kept going around in her head. She was sure of her feelings towards Noah, but would it be enough? They’d surely be tested beyond belief in the first months of publicity. And again when Anthony was completely free. It was a lot to ask of someone used to living in the moment. She didn’t doubt that he loved her. But could their love survive their life?

As Lexi drove to the senior center, she stifled a yawn. She hadn’t gotten much sleep last night because she couldn’t stop thinking about her and Noah. Needing to get away for a bit and get some advice. And she knew the best people to ask. Sighing when she saw the air conditioning repair truck in the parking lot, she got out of the car to walk around the side of building, knowing exactly where they’d be.

Rounding the corner she stopped and laughed. They looked like they should be on the beach. Three beach chairs were lined up; an umbrella behind each one. They were in bathing suits, sunglasses and big floppy hats. She raised her eyebrow at the tall drinks they had, willing to bet money there was some kind of alcohol in them. Shaking her head, she went over and sat on the ground in the shade by Leigh.

“What’s up baby, girl?” Leigh ran her hand over Lexi’s head.

“Oh, not much. How much longer you think he’s got before it’s up and running again?” Lexi nodded her head in the direction of the unit.

“Not too much longer. He’s getting the ice off of the coils pretty quick,” Marie said as she took a drink.

“And how did the coils get iced up?” Lexi looked at them.

“Someone turned the air conditioner down really low last night. It was freezing in the center this morning when we got here,” Evelyne said as she snapped a picture.

“What are you doing, Evelyne? You’re now taking pictures while the guys work?” Lexi shook her head.

“Well, see, it’s like this. This is a new guy. If I take his picture, we can put it in the album with all the important information to refer back to.” She cupped her hands around her mouth. “Hey sweet checks, why don’t you strike a pose? Come on, work it. Give me something hot.” She lowered the camera. “Well, this guy’s a dud. Now what’s on your mind?”

Lexi filled them in on her conversation with Noah and everything she was feeling. It felt good to get it all off of her chest, knowing that they would tell her their honest opinions of what they thought was best for her. Since Evie hadn’t met Noah, she wanted the opinions of people who had and who’s seen them together, to boot.

Marie shook her head. “You know honey, there are no guarantees in life. Seems to me you’ve got to roll the dice and take your chances. Weigh all your options and make the best choice. When you add the fact you’re both head-over-heels in love with each other, that should tip the scales. He’s a good man, Lexi.”

Evelyne looked down at her. “You’re going to be hurt whatever you do. It happens in life. People hurt each other. What you have to look at is what’s going to hurt more. Not having him in your life, or being hurt by the little things that men do on a day-to-day basis they don’t even realize they’re doing? Just know that the man you choose to love is there for you, for the long haul. But you push all that aside at the end of the day and fall asleep in their arms, knowing everything is right in the world.”

Lexi absently took the glass Leigh handed her and took a drink. Marie pounded her on the back when she started to cough. “What in the hell do you guys have in that? Straight alcohol?”

Marie laughed. “We decided Patsy would love a day like today, so we have what we call “The FF.” Stands for Fearsome Foursome. We each put our favorite alcohol in it, so it’s got vodka, gin, rum and whiskey. Then we add orange, pineapple, grapefruit and cranberry juice. Easy as that.”

“You all will be easy if you keep drinking that. How are you getting home?”

Evelyne waved a hand at her. “No biggie, we’ve got a cab scheduled to pick us up in a couple of hours. Keep your pants on.” She doubled over laughing.

Leigh nodded. “See? We’ve got it handled. But honey, all the press
will
blow over. Things were different back in the day when I was famous. There was a wall between us and the press. Now they cross that line every chance they get. They all want the biggest and best headline or picture. But you know there were even scandals back then and they never lasted that long. Noah is right. It’ll blow over and you’ll be stronger having gone through it, together. Now, why don’t you go home and get some rest. You’re looking a little peaked. Besides, we are running out of time with our newest boy toy.” She patted her back.

Lexi got up and went back to her car. She wasn’t sure if she had come to any decision, but she definitely had more to think about.

~*~

It was strange Pepper didn’t come to greet Lexi as soon as she stepped out of the car. Thinking she must be at Noah’s, she unlocked the front door then continued through the house and out the back door to the porch. She started down the stairs when she heard a whimper and heavy panting. She jumped off of the steps and dropped to her knees. Pepper was just under the porch, shaking. Lexi crawled over and put her hand on the dog’s side. She was burning up. Pepper looked up at her with glassy, sad eyes.

Lexi dumped her purse and found her cell phone. She dialed Noah and saw him barrel out the side door. She hung up and called the vet to let them know she was on the way.

She watched as Noah carefully picked Pepper up. Pepper closed her eyes and leaned her head into him. “Lexi, grab your purse and get in the backseat. I’ll put Pepper on your lap.” He watched as tears flowed down her cheeks while she got into the car. “Come on honey, give me your keys. We’ll get her there in time.”

~*~

Noah raced around the car and jumped into the driver’s seat, banging his knees on the steering column. With a curse, he moved the seat back and started the car. He drove faster than he should, considering he didn’t know where he was going. He got directions out of Lexi and skidded to a stop in front of the vet’s office. He’d just opened the back door when people came out of the office. He lifted Pepper off of Lexi’s lap and carried her in the vet’s office while people were checking the dog out as they walked.

Lexi clutched his hand as they waited. He tried to calm her down but he knew, until she knew Pepper was fine, she wouldn’t.

They both jumped up when the door opened and the doctor came in. Lexi held her breath and closed her eyes, bracing for the worst.

“Hey, Lexi, it’s ok. Breathe. I don’t need two patients on my hands.” The elderly doctor patted her on the arm. When she took a breath, he continued. “It was lucky you got her to us in time. She’s going to be ok. We’re running some tests to get a more exact detail, but it appears she may have been bitten by something poisonous or eaten something she shouldn’t have. We’ve got her stabilized. She should be fine. We’ll continue to monitor her tonight and once we get the results, we’ll get her back up and running in no time.”

Noah had to hold onto Lexi as her knees buckled. “Thanks, Doc. Can we stay with her?” he asked for her.

Lexi’s head popped up and looked over at Noah. Then back to the doctor.

“No, it’d be better for us to take care of her. Why don’t you take Lexi home? We’ll call if there is any change or when we find out what happened. There’s nothing you can do right now.”

“Can I see her before we go?” Lexi ran a shaky hand through her hair.

“It’d be better if you didn’t. She’s calm right now. I wouldn’t want for her to pick up on your anxiety. Go home. We’ll call you.”

Lexi allowed Noah to lead her out of the building and buckle her up in the car. She was quiet on the way home but finally turned to Noah when they pulled into her driveway. “Thank you, Noah. I couldn’t have done this without you.”

“Come on. Let’s go to my place.” He didn’t want her in the house that would remind her of Pepper. “I’ll even let you beat me at pool.”

She gave him a small smile. “Thanks, but I think I just want to be in my own home.”

“That’ll work. We can stay up and watch movies. I’ll let you have first dibs at the popcorn.”

“I know what you’re doing Noah, and I appreciate it. I really do. But I need to be alone right now. I’m just too raw. I’ve had too much to think about the past few days, and this is just overload. I just want to bury my head under the covers. Do you understand?” She looked at him with huge eyes.

“Yeah, I do, but I’m not happy about it. I wish you’d turn to me. How are we supposed to make this work if you turn from me when you need my help the most?” He rubbed his hands over his face.

“I did turn to you. You were the one I called. I didn’t even think. When I saw Pepper was sick, I called you.” She raised her hands and let them fall back down onto her lap. “I’ve thought about everything we’ve talked about. I’ve even had the ladies giving me their two cents. It’s running around in my head right now. Then you add that it’s not a guarantee that Pepper will make it? I just need my brain to shut down. And if you’re here, it’s not going to.” She looked down and fiddled with the strap of her purse.

Noah sighed and turned her head so she looked him in the eye. “You know I love you and I’m here for you. You know I’d walk through fire or take a bullet for you. You are my everything. I’m going to give you the space you want tonight. But come tomorrow, I won’t leave when you ask me to. Tomorrow, I’m not letting you go.”

They got out of the car and met at the hood. Noah grabbed her and held on tight. Lexi relaxed for a moment before pulling away. Laying her hand on his cheek, she said, “I love you ,Noah. Thank you for doing this even though you don’t want to. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

~*~

She unlocked the front door and went straight upstairs. She just wanted to crawl into bed and go to sleep. She got undressed in her closet and was pulling a t-shirt over her head when she heard something behind her. She quickly pulled the shirt on and spun around, gasping as she backed up.

It was like something had punched her in the chest. She couldn’t breathe. It was Anthony, come to finish what he had started. Bile rose in her throat. She knew what was coming and it was going to hurt like hell. She couldn’t focus.

“Hello, Alexia. Long time no see.” He smiled at her.

“I don’t understand.” She shook her head. “You’re in La Jolla. You’re being monitored. You can’t be here.”

“Oh, but I am. And do you want to know why?” He came closer to her to where he was standing inches away from her and slowly leaned down to whisper in her ear. “I’m not Anthony.” He caught her as she fainted.